As messengers of Christ entrusted with the good news of salvation, every believer has been given a stewardship, a responsibility. That stewardship, that responsibility includes proclaiming Christ. The word “proclaim” in v. 29 literally means “the publication of the gospel for the purpose of converting people to Christ”. Think of the many ways that you can “publicize” the good news of Christ and your personal faith story. Use the tools we have in our current age of technology along with building genuine friendships.
Bringing others to the place of believing in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sin is only the beginning of what we are to be about. It’s not just the proclamation that’s important; nurturing, reproving, and instruction in the ways and wisdom of God are just as important. Jesus didn’t say to go make more Christians. He said to go make more followers of Him. The objective is “full maturity in Christ.”
We’re not just helpers. We’re not just encouragers. These things are necessary. But there’s a lot more to it. We are to go beyond just helping people to hear about Christ. We are to go beyond just encouraging people to grow in there spiritual lives. Paul says, “I strenuously contend”. Bringing others to Christ and then bringing them along in their spiritual maturity is hard work. It takes a great amount of energy from you. It takes time, trouble, and tenacity. Give it all you’ve got! We must do all we can, as creatively as we can, as strategically as we can, as much as we can to move one another to maturity in Christ.
Where do we get the energy and power to do this? It’s the energy that Christ so powerfully works in us. It’s a joint effort. You and God. Work hard to make more maturing followers of Christ by depending on His power working in you and through you. That means we must stay plugged in to the power source all the time – God. If we don’t keep our personal time with God consistent, studying His Word, praying from our hearts, and applying His truth to our lives daily – then we lose the charge and must be recharged. Keep the charge flowing. Keep God’s power “on” in your life. Stay surrendered to God's Spirit. Jesus said, “For just as the branch cannot bear any fruit unless it shares the life of the vine, so you can produce nothing unless you go on growing in me” John 15:4 (Ph). If we’ll put our energy into it, He’ll put His energy into it.
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In life I have created many tool boxes...one to help me live successfully with my illness; one to help me be successful in my advocacy for mental health; one to help me be a good, loving, and effective role model for my children; one to be a good and effective Christian; and yes even one to go fishing. They are all on a shelf waiting for me to use at any moment. After reading this message I decided to look at these tool boxes and to my dismay I realized that there were two that collected dust from not being used as much as the others...my Christian one and my fishing one. I suddenly realized that I had drained all of my energy in using the other tool boxes without realizing that the answer to my energy rested in my relationship with God and I had foolishly let it collect dust. For today Lord, I plan to throw away all the boxes I created except my Christian and fishing boxes. Everything I need is in you and I think its time I started inviting you to go fishing...fishing for followers of Christ. When my energy seems depleted Lord may it be a reminder to take the time to go fishing...with you. Thank you for loving me in all things...in my strengths and in my weaknesses. I give you all the glory in Jesus name...Amen.
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